The central government has accepted Indian Police Service officer Kiran Bedi's [Images] plea a month after she had applied for voluntary retirement.

She is the country's first woman IPS officer.

The government decided to relieve Bedi, who was holding the post of the director-general of the bureau of police research and development, from her duties on Monday.

"I have received the letter relieving me," Bedi told PTI. She has since given up her charge at the BPR and D.

Sulking after being ignored for the Delhi police commissioner's post, the Magsaysay awardee submitted her application on November 15, saying she wanted to pursue strong academic and social interests.

The government had last week indicated that it would continue to avail of the services of Bedi for its project of National Police Mission, but she rejected the offer saying she was not willing to work for the government anymore.

Putting pressure on the government to accept her application, Bedi moved an application for long leave from Monday till the end of the notice period on February 15.

She said she was going on leave to help expedite the appointment of my successor.